Kim currently lives in Minneapolis, MN. In addition to loving her work, she also enjoys cooking, writing short stories, and spending time with her husband, mostly-grown kids, and cranky dog.

A message from Kim: With over twenty years in healthcare, I’ve focused on providing compassionate, person-centered care during some of life’s most challenging moments.

I began my career in a birthing center, supporting families facing difficult circumstances such as stillbirth, addiction, limited resources, and health issues. Though a birthing center is typically a place of joy, I was honored to be there for families in moments of uncertainty and grief.

I then worked in a cancer center, offering patients and their families practical and emotional support.

However, it was my decade of work in the sacred space of hospice care that solidified my commitment to end-of-life care. I saw how terminal illness brings into focus what truly matters, as patients seek connection, purpose, and solace in their final days.

A few years ago, I transitioned from my hospice social worker role to an End-of-Life Doula and Legacy Facilitator, which allows me to offer offer more personalized care and spend increased time with individuals and their families.

I believe every life is unique and valuable, and it’s a privilege to play a small role in someone’s story, especially during such a profound time. Supporting individuals through these pivotal transitions is an honor I approach with deep respect and gratitude.

-Kim

A Legacy Facilitator helps individuals reflect on their life’s journey, guiding them in creating meaningful projects that preserve their values, wisdom, and memories. Every person’s life is unique and significant. Through personalized support, a Legacy Facilitator assists in capturing and sharing life stories and imparting lessons learned along the way with loved ones and future generations. Legacy work can be done individually or in a group setting, ranging from a simple letter to a larger project, such as a book. A Legacy Facilitator offers guidance and support to help determine the approach that best suits your needs and ensures the successful completion of your project. Kim is a Life Legacies trained Legacy Facilitator.

An End-of-Life Doula (sometimes called a Death Doula) is a trained professional who provides holistic, non-medical support to individuals approaching the end of their life and those who care for them. Doulas assist with care planning, facilitate communication, offer emotional and spiritual support, and help create a peaceful, dignified, and meaningful end-of-life experience.

You can reach out to an end-of-life doula at any stage of the process—whether for advance care planning, legacy work, or when immediate care needs arise. The timing is entirely personal, but the support of a doula can bring comfort and guidance at any point.

An end-of-life doula does not replace hospice care but complements it. While hospice provides specialized medical care and comfort in the final stages of life, a doula offers emotional, spiritual, and practical support. Doulas provide personalized, one-on-one care. A doula brings a unique blend of skills and compassion to the dying process, collaborating closely with hospice teams to offer comprehensive support to individuals and their families. Kim is an Inelda trained End-of-Life Doula.

At this time, End-of-Life Doula services are not covered by most insurance plans. It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance directly to see if any coverage applies. Professional doula associations (such as Inelda, with whom Kim trained) and end-of-life advocates continue to advocate for these services to be covered by insurance.